Energy harvesting apparatus and energy harvesting system

ABSTRACT

An energy harvesting apparatus includes: a capacitor configured to store energy generated by an energy harvesting element; and a switch connected to the capacitor and configured to switch energy supply from the capacitor to a load based on a capacitor voltage with which the capacitor is charged. An energy harvesting system includes: energy harvesting elements; energy harvesting apparatuses which are provided to respectively correspond to the energy harvesting elements; and a load as an energy supply destination connected to the energy harvesting apparatuses.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-231464, filed on Oct. 19, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an energy harvesting apparatus and an energy harvesting system, and more particularly relates to an energy harvesting apparatus and an energy harvesting system which are capable of supplying energy generated by energy harvesting elements with efficiency.

BACKGROUND

In general, techniques for electromechanical equipment for converting mechanical vibration energy into electric energy are known. Further, techniques for a method of storing regenerative energy are also well known.

Conventional regenerative energy charging methods and regenerative energy storage device protection techniques had difficulty in supplying power generated by energy harvesting elements with efficiency.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides some embodiments of an energy harvesting apparatus and an energy harvesting system which are capable of supplying energy generated by an energy harvesting element with efficiency.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an energy harvesting apparatus including: a capacitor configured to store energy generated by an energy harvesting element; and a switch connected to the capacitor and configured to switch energy supply from the capacitor to a load based on a capacitor voltage with which the capacitor is charged.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an energy harvesting system including: an energy harvesting element; an energy harvesting apparatus connected to the energy harvesting element; and a load connected to the energy harvesting apparatus as an energy supply destination.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an energy harvesting system including: a plurality of energy harvesting elements; a plurality of energy harvesting apparatuses provided to respectively correspond to the plurality of energy harvesting elements; and a load connected to the energy harvesting apparatuses as an energy supply destination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of an energy harvesting system.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a waveform example of a temporal change in a capacitor voltage V₁ associated with power generation in the energy harvesting system.

FIG. 3A is a view showing a waveform example of a temporal change in generated energy E in the energy harvesting system.

FIG. 3B is a view showing a waveform example of a temporal change in the capacitor voltage V₁ with values R₁, R₂ and R₃ of the load resistance R_(L) as parameters in the energy harvesting system.

FIG. 4 is a detailed circuit diagram of the energy harvesting system.

FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of an energy harvesting system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram of an energy harvesting apparatus which can be applied to the energy harvesting system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7A is a view showing an operation waveform example of a capacitor voltage V₁ and a gate voltage V₂ in the energy harvesting apparatus which can be applied to the energy harvesting system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7B is a view showing an operation waveform example of a drain voltage V₃ in the energy harvesting apparatus which can be applied to the energy harvesting system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7C is a view showing an operation waveform example of a current I₁ supplied to a load in the energy harvesting apparatus which can be applied to the energy harvesting system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic circuit diagram of the switch of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9A is a view showing an on/off operation waveform example of the capacitor voltage V₁ and the gate voltage V₂ in the energy harvesting apparatus which can be applied to the energy harvesting system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9B is a view showing an on/off operation waveform example of the drain voltage V₃ in the energy harvesting apparatus which can be applied to the energy harvesting system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9C is a view showing an on/off operation waveform example of a current I₁ supplied to the load in the energy harvesting apparatus which can be applied to the energy harvesting system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10A is a view showing a continuous waveform example of the gate voltage V₂ in the energy harvesting system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10B is a view showing a continuous waveform example of energy E₁ stored in the capacitor in the energy harvesting system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10C is a view showing a continuous operation waveform example of a supply current I₁ to the load in the energy harvesting system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10D is a view showing a continuous operation waveform example of energy E_(L) supplied to the load in the energy harvesting system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic circuit diagram of an energy harvesting system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic circuit diagram of an energy harvesting system according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic circuit diagram of an energy harvesting apparatus which can be applied to the energy harvesting system according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a detailed circuit diagram of the energy harvesting system according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a schematic circuit block diagram used to explain a function to determine whether or not energy is supplied from any of a plurality of energy harvesting elements in the energy harvesting system according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a schematic circuit block diagram used to explain an operation to determine whether or not energy is supplied from any of a plurality of energy harvesting elements in the energy harvesting system according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 17A is a view showing an operation waveform example of a capacitor voltage V_(1i) and a gate voltage V_(2i) in transition from an off state to an on state in an energy harvesting apparatus 1 _(i) which can be applied to the energy harvesting system according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 17B is a view showing an operation waveform example of a drain voltage V_(3i) in transition from an off state to an on state in an energy harvesting apparatus 1 _(i) which can be applied to the energy harvesting system according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 17C is a view showing an operation waveform example of a current I_(1i) supplied to a load in transition from an off state to an on state in an energy harvesting apparatus 1 _(i) which can be applied to the energy harvesting system according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 18A is a view showing an operation waveform example of a drain voltage V_(3i) in transition from an on state to an off state in an energy harvesting apparatus 1 _(i) which can be applied to the energy harvesting system according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 18B is a view showing an operation waveform example of a current I_(1i) supplied to a load in transition from an on state to an off state in an energy harvesting apparatus 1 _(i) which can be applied to the energy harvesting system according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 19A is a view showing a continuous operation waveform example of a capacitor voltage V_(1i) in the energy harvesting system according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 19B is a view showing a continuous operation waveform example of energy E_(1i) stored in a capacitor in the energy harvesting system according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 19C is a view showing a continuous operation waveform example of a supply current I_(1i) to a load in the energy harvesting system according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 19D is a view showing a continuous operation waveform example of a drain voltage V_(3i) in the energy harvesting system according to the third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention(s). However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention(s) may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, systems, and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the various embodiments.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

The following embodiments are provided to illustrate devices and methods to embody the technical ideas of the present disclosure and are not limited to materials, forms, structures, arrangements and so on of elements detailed herein. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be modified in different ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention defined in the claims.

In the following embodiments, the term “energy harvesting element” refers to an element which can generate environmental energy such as vibration energy, radio wave energy, thermal energy, light energy and the like. A width of temporal variation may amount to, for example, several nanoseconds to several seconds, or several days depending on the type of energy harvester device. In addition, depending on the type of energy harvester device, a range of voltage variation may amount to, for example, several μV to several ten V and a level of power to be handled may amount to, for example, several μW to several ten W.

First Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 1, an energy harvesting system 10a has a basic configuration including an energy harvesting element 4, a capacitor 3 which is connected in parallel to the energy harvesting element 4 and stores energy generated by the energy harvesting element 4, and a load R_(L) connected in parallel to the capacitor 3. Here, assuming that a capacitance of the capacitor 3 is C₁ and a capacitor voltage (a charging voltage of the capacitor 3) is V₁, energy stored in the capacitor C₁ is represented by C₁V₁ ²/2.

FIG. 2 shows a waveform example of a temporal change in the capacitor voltage V₁ associated with power generation with values R₁, R₂ and R₃ (R₁<R₂<R₃) of the load R_(L) as parameters in the energy harvesting system 10 a.

In FIG. 2, the capacitor voltage V₁ shows peak values V_(p1), V_(p2) and V_(p3) for values R₁, R₂ and R₃ (R₁<R₂<R₃) of the load R_(L), respectively, at time t_(p). Here, although times at which the peak values of the capacitor voltage V₁ can be obtained are set to the same time t_(p), the times at which the peak values can be obtained may not necessarily coincide with each other.

In the energy harvesting system 10a, as shown in FIG. 2, as impedance of the load R_(L) becomes smaller, the peak value of the capacitor voltage V₁ and the energy stored in the capacitor C₁ become smaller. As a result, an amount of energy supplied from the energy harvesting element 4 to the load R_(L) 1 becomes smaller. That is, in the energy harvesting element 4, power generation efficiency depends on impedance of an object to be supplied with generated energy.

FIG. 3A shows a waveform example of a temporal change in generated energy E, for example, that has a peak value E_(p) at time t_(p), in the energy harvesting system 10 a.

FIG. 3B shows a waveform example of a temporal change in the capacitor voltage V₁ with the load resistor R_(L) as a parameter. In the energy harvesting system 10 a, a RC time constant is varied depending on the value of the load resistance R_(L), establishing a relationship of R₁C₁<R₂C₁<R₃C₁. Accordingly, if the value of the load resistance R_(L) is larger, it takes a longer time to charge the capacitor C₁.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a detailed circuit configuration of the energy harvesting system 10 a. As shown in FIG. 4, this circuit configuration includes the energy harvesting element 4, the capacitor 3 which is connected in parallel to the energy harvesting element 4 and stores energy generated by the energy harvesting element 4, a power supply 5 connected in parallel to the capacitor 3, and a system load 6 connected to the power supply 5. Here, the impedance of the power supply 5 side including the system load 6, viewed from the capacitor 3, is denoted by R_(L1) and the impedance of the system load 6 is denoted by R_(L2).

In order to drive the load R_(L) (including the impedance R_(L1) of the power supply 5 side and the impedance R_(L2) of the system load 6) properly, there is a need to supply required energy to the load R_(L). However, if the impedance of the load R_(L) is high, it takes time to charge the capacitor C₁, as shown in FIG. 3B. Accordingly, there is a need to shorten a time constant by switching the impedance of the load R_(L) appropriately. That is, in order to supply sufficient energy to an electronic apparatus, there is a need to secure a short charging time of the capacitor C₁ and supply the energy generated by the energy harvesting element 4 and stored in the capacitor C₁ to the load R_(L) with efficiency.

(Energy Harvesting System)

As shown in FIG. 5, an energy harvesting system 10 according to a first embodiment includes an energy harvesting element 4, an energy harvesting apparatus 1 connected to the energy harvesting element 4, and a load 7 serving as an energy supply destination connected to the energy harvesting apparatus 1.

Here, the load 7 includes a power supply 5 and a system load 6 connected to the power supply 5. The power supply 5 has a function to stabilize a voltage supplied to the system load 6. An example of the power supply 5 may include a supply voltage stabilization power supply such as a DC-DC converter, a LDO (Low Drop Out) or the like. An example of the system load 6 may include an energy consuming device such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), an optical disc device, a digital camera, a mobile device such as a wireless communication device or the like, a vehicle, an industrial instrument, a medical instrument, parts thereof, etc.

(Energy Harvesting Apparatus)

FIG. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram of the energy harvesting apparatus 1 which can be applied to the energy harvesting system 10 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the energy harvesting apparatus 1 which can be applied to the energy harvesting system 10 according to the first embodiment includes a capacitor 3 for storing energy generated by the energy harvesting element 4, and a switch 2 for switching energy supply from the capacitor 3 to the load 7 based on a capacitor voltage V₁ with which the capacitor 3 is charged.

The switch 2 is connected between the capacitor 3 and the load 7 and switches supply of power from the capacitor 3 to the load 7 based on the capacitor voltage V₁.

As shown in FIG. 6, the switch 2 includes a first resistor R₁ and a second resistor R₂ connected in parallel to the capacitor 3.

As shown in FIG. 6, the switch 2 may include a first insulating gate p-channel field effect transistor (MOSFET(Metal-Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor)) Q₁ having a first source connected to the capacitor 3 and a first drain connected to the load 7, the first resistor R₁ and the second resistor R₂ which are connected in parallel to the capacitor 3 and divide the capacitor voltage V₁, a second n-channel MOSFET Q₂ having a second drain connected to a first gate of the first MOSFET Q₁, a second gate connected between the first resistor R₁ and the second resistor R₂, and a second source connected to a ground potential, and a third resistor R₃ connected between the first gate and first source of the first MOSFET Q₁. Here, a gate voltage V₂ generated by the division of the capacitor voltage V₁ by the first resistor R₁ and the second resistor R₂ is represented by R₂·V₁/(R₁+R₂). In addition, a voltage of the first gate of the first MOSFET Q₁ and a voltage of the second drain of the second MOSFET Q₂ are represented by a drain voltage V₃. In FIG. 6, BD₁ denotes a back gate body diode of the first MOSFET Q₁. When the capacitor 3 is charged with the capacitor voltage V₁ and the first MOSFET Q₁ is turned off, a reverse bias is applied between the gate and source of the first MOSFET Q₁, between the drain and source of the first MOSFET Q₁ and to the back gate body diode BD₁.

The resistors R₁ and R₂ have a resistance of predetermined impedance or higher. That is, each of the resistors R₁ and R₂ has a resistance of predetermined value or higher and thus the addition of the resistance of the resistors R₁ and the resistance of the resistor R₂ becomes equal to or larger than the predetermined impedance.

The switch 2 can control turning-on/off of the second MOSFET Q₂ based on a magnitude relationship between the gate voltage V₂ (=R₂·V₁/(R₁+R₂)) generated by the voltage division and a threshold voltage V_(th2) of the second n-channel MOSFET Q₂.

FIGS. 7A to 7C show operation waveform examples of the capacitor voltage V₁ and the gate voltage V₂, an operation waveform example of the drain voltage V₃, and an operation waveform example of a current I₁ supplied to the load 7, respectively, in the energy harvesting apparatus 1 which can be applied to the energy harvesting system 10 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic circuit diagram of the switch 2 of FIG. 6.

In the energy harvesting system 10 according to the first embodiment, the capacitor voltage V₁ can be triggered in a high impedance condition and thus the later stage can be efficiently triggered.

First, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the gate voltage V₂ does not reach the threshold voltage V_(th2) of the second MOSFET Q₂ until time t1. Accordingly, the second MOSFET Q₂ remains turned off.

Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the capacitor voltage V₁ rises over time t. When the gate voltage V₂ (=R₂·V₁/(R₁+R₂)) becomes higher than the voltage V_(th2) of the second MOSFET Q₂ at time t1, the second MOSFET Q₂ is turned on. As a result, since the drain voltage V₃ becomes the ground potential and a gate potential of the first gate of the first MOSFET Q₁ becomes equal to the drain voltage V₃ of the second MOSFET Q₂, the first MOSFET Q₁ is turned on. As a result, the energy stored in the capacitor 3 is supplied to the load 7 via the first MOSFET Q₁. Here, as shown in FIG. 7C, the supply current I₁ to the load 7, which flows through the first MOSFET Q₁, is represented by an ON-current I_(ON) under the turning-on state of the first MOSFET Q₁.

FIGS. 9A to 9C show an on/off operation waveform example of the capacitor voltage V₁ and the gate voltage V₂, an on/off operation waveform example of the drain voltage V₃, and an on/off operation waveform example of the current I₁ supplied to the load 7, respectively, in the energy harvesting apparatus 1 which can be applied to the energy harvesting system 10 according to the first embodiment. The ON operation in FIGS. 9A to 9C is the same as that in FIGS. 7A to 7C and therefore, explanation thereof will not be repeated and an OFF operation will only be described.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the capacitor voltage V₁ charged in the capacitor 3 decreases over time t. When the gate voltage V₂ becomes lower than the voltage V_(th2) of the second MOSFET Q₂, the second MOSFET Q₂ is turned off, the drain voltage V₃ becomes a potential of a high level higher than the voltage V_(th2), and the first p-channel MOSFET Q₁ is turned off. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9C, the supply current I₁ to the load 7, which flows through the first MOSFET Q₁, is cut off to stop the supply of current to the load 7. In addition, since a waveform of the drain voltage V₃ after time t2 converges to 0 V, it becomes equal to the waveform of the capacitor voltage V₁, as shown in FIG. 9B. This is because a gate-source voltage V_(GS) of the first MOSFET Q₁ becomes 0 V and the first MOSFET Q₁ is turned off at time t2.

FIGS. 10A to 10D show a continuous waveform example of the gate voltage V₂, a continuous waveform example of energy E₁ stored in the capacitor 3, a continuous operation waveform example of the supply current I₁ to the load 7, and a continuous operation waveform example of energy E_(L) supplied to the load 7, respectively, in the energy harvesting system 10 according to the first embodiment.

When the continuous waveform of the gate voltage V₂ is varied as shown in FIG. 10A according to a continuous operation of the capacitor voltage V1 and the gate voltage V₂ becomes higher than the threshold voltage V_(th2) of the second MOSFET Q₂, the second MOSFET Q₂ is turned on, the first MOSFET Q₁ is also turned on, and the supply current I₁ to the load 7 becomes the ON-current I_(ON) or higher. As a result, the supply energy E_(L) to the load 7 is represented by the continuous waveform example as shown in FIG. 10D.

With the energy harvesting system 10 according to the first embodiment, since energy can be supplied to the load 7 under a high impedance state after the capacitor 3 is sufficiently charged, the energy generated by the energy harvesting element 4 can be efficiently supplied to the load 7.

According to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an energy harvesting apparatus and an energy harvesting system which are capable of supplying the energy generated by the energy harvesting element with efficiency.

Second Embodiment (Energy Harvesting System)

As shown in FIG. 11, a schematic circuit configuration of an energy harvesting system 10 b according to a second embodiment includes a plurality of energy harvesting elements 4 ₁, 4 ₂, . . . , 4 _(n), a plurality of energy harvesting apparatuses 1 ₁₁, 1 ₁₂, . . . , 1 _(1n) respectively connected to the plurality of energy harvesting elements 4 ₁, 4 ₂, . . . , 4 _(n) and provided to respectively correspond to the plurality of energy harvesting elements 4 ₁, 4 ₂, . . . , 4 _(n), a plurality of power supplies 5 ₁, 5 ₂, . . . , 5 _(n) serving as energy supply destinations respectively connected to the energy harvesting apparatuses 1 ₁₁, 1 ₁₂, . . . , 1 _(1n), and a system load 6.

Here, as shown in FIG. 11, loads in the energy harvesting system 10 b include the plurality of power supplies 5 ₁, 5 ₂, . . . , 5 _(n) respectively connected to the plurality of energy harvesting apparatuses 1 ₁₁, 1 ₁₂, . . . , 1 _(1n), and the system load 6 which is connected in common to the plurality of power supplies 5 ₁, 5 ₂, . . . , 5 _(n) and consumes power.

Each of the power supplies 5 ₁, 5 ₂, . . . , 5 _(n) has a function to stabilize a voltage supplied to the system load 6. An example of the power supplies 5 ₁, 5 ₂, . . . , 5 _(n) may include a supply voltage stabilization power supply such as a DC-DC converter, a LDO (Low Drop Out) or the like.

An example of the system load 6 may include an energy consuming device such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a PDA, an optical disc device, a digital camera, a mobile device such as a wireless communication device or the like, a vehicle, an industrial instrument, a medical instrument, parts thereof, etc.

Each of the plurality of energy harvesting apparatuses 1 ₁₁, 1 ₁₂, . . . , 1 _(1n) includes a capacitor C₁ and a switch SW1, SW2, . . . , SWn connected to the capacitor C₁. A capacitor voltage V₁₁, V₁₂, . . . , V_(1n) is generated in each capacitor C₁ according to a power generation state of the plurality of energy harvesting elements 4 ₁, 4 ₂, . . . , 4 _(n), and energy is supplied from one or more of the plurality of energy harvesting elements 4 ₁, 4 ₂, . . . , 4 _(n) to the loads (i.e., the power supplies 5 ₁, 5 ₂, . . . , 5 _(n) and the system load 6) according to a switching operation of the switch SW1, SW2, . . . , SWn.

With the energy harvesting system 10 according to the second embodiment, since energy can be supplied to the loads (the power supplies 5 ₁, 5 ₂, . . . , 5 _(n) and the system load 6) under a high impedance state after each capacitor 3 of the plurality of energy harvesting apparatuses 1 ₁₁, . . . , 1 _(1i), . . . , 1 _(1n) provided to respectively correspond to the plurality of energy harvesting elements 4 ₁, . . . , 4 _(i), . . . , 4 _(n) is sufficiently charged, the energy generated by the plurality of energy harvesting elements 4 ₁, . . . , 4 _(i), . . . , 4 _(n) can be efficiently supplied to the loads.

According to the second embodiment, it is possible to provide an energy harvesting apparatus and an energy harvesting system which are capable of supplying the energy generated by the plurality of energy harvesting elements with efficiency.

Third Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 12, a schematic circuit configuration of an energy harvesting system 10 c according to a third embodiment includes a plurality of energy harvesting elements 4 ₁, . . . , 4 _(i), . . . , 4 _(n), a plurality of energy harvesting apparatuses 1 ₁₁, . . . , 1 _(1i), . . . , 1 _(1n) provided to respectively correspond to the plurality of energy harvesting elements 4 ₁, . . . , 4 _(i), . . . , 4 _(n), a power supply 5 serving as an energy supply destination connected in common to the energy harvesting apparatuses 1 ₁₁, . . . , 1 _(1i), . . . , 1 _(1n), and a system load 6.

Here, as shown in FIG. 12, loads in the energy harvesting system 10c include the power supply 5 connected in common to the plurality of energy harvesting apparatuses 1 ₁₁, . . . , 1 _(1i), . . . , 1 _(1n), and the system load 6 which is connected to the power supply 5 and consumes power.

In the third embodiment, since the power supply 5 is connected in common to the plurality of energy harvesting apparatuses 1 ₁₁, . . . , 1 _(1i), . . . , 1 _(1n), it is possible to prevent an interference that may occur between a plurality of power supplies 5 ₁, 5 ₂, . . . , 5 _(n) as shown in FIG. 11.

The power supply 5 has a function to stabilize a voltage supplied to the system load 6. An example of the power supply 5 may include a supply voltage stabilization power supply such as a DC-DC converter, a LDO (Low Drop Out) or the like.

An example of the system load 6 may include an energy consuming device such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a PDA, an optical disc device, a digital camera, a mobile device such as a wireless communication device or the like, a vehicle, an industrial instrument, a medical instrument, parts thereof, etc.

FIG. 13 is a schematic circuit diagram of an energy harvesting apparatus 1 _(i) which can be applied to the energy harvesting system 10 c according to the third embodiment.

In the energy harvesting apparatus 1 _(i) which can be applied to the energy harvesting system 10 c according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, a switch SWi further includes a third p-channel MOSFET Q₃ which is interposed between the first source and the capacitor C₁ and has a third drain connected to the capacitor C₁, a third source connected to the first source, and a third gate connected to the first gate, in comparison with the configuration of the switch 2 shown in FIG. 6.

In the configuration of the switch 2 shown in FIG. 6, if a short circuit occurs between the first gate and first source of the p-channel MOSFET Q₁, a current may flow backward since the p-channel MOSFET Q₁ is turned on. However, in the configuration of the switch SWi shown in FIG. 13, it is possible to prevent a current from flowing backward since the switch SWi further includes the third p-channel MOSFET Q₃.

In the configuration of the switch 2 shown in FIG. 13, although the drain voltage V₃ is at a zero potential when the switch SW1 is switched on, it is possible to prevent a current from flowing backward due to an effect of a back gate body diode BD₃ of the third p-channel MOSFET Q₃.

In addition, in the configuration of the switch SWi shown in FIG. 13, when the switch SWi is switched off, the drain voltage V₃ has the same potential as a gate voltage V_(1i).

FIG. 14 shows a detailed circuit configuration of the energy harvesting system 10 c according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a schematic circuit block diagram used to explain a function to determine whether or not energy is supplied from any of the plurality of energy harvesting elements 4 ₁, . . . , 4 _(i), . . . , 4 _(n) in the energy harvesting system 10 c according to the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram used to explain an operation to determine whether or not energy is supplied from any of the plurality of energy harvesting elements 4 ₁, . . . , 4 _(i), . . . , 4 _(n) in the energy harvesting system 10 c according to the third embodiment.

A detector 41 detects drain voltages V₃₁, . . . , V_(3i), . . . , V_(3n) and selects a specific drain voltage V_(3k) and a determination unit 42 determines whether or not the specific drain voltage V_(3k) reaches the threshold voltage V_(th2) of the second MOSFET Q₂. If the specific drain voltage V_(3k) reaches the threshold voltage V_(th2) of the second MOSFET Q₂, for example, it may be determined that identification information data ID_(k) corresponding to the drain voltage V_(3k) is 1. If the specific drain voltage V_(3k) does not reach the threshold voltage V_(th2), it may be determined that the identification information data ID_(k) corresponding to the drain voltage V_(3k) is 0.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the energy harvesting system 10 c according to the third embodiment may include the detector 41 which is connected to the second drain of the second MOSFET Q₂ of the plurality of energy harvesting apparatuses 1 ₁₁, . . . , 1 _(1i), . . . , 1 _(1n) and detects the drain voltages V₃₁, . . . , V_(3i), . . . , V_(3n), and the determination unit 42 to determine whether or not energy is supplied from any of the plurality of energy harvesting elements 4 ₁, . . . , 4 _(i), . . . , 4 _(n) based on the drain voltages V₃₁, . . . , V_(3i), . . . , V_(3n) detected by the detector 41.

FIGS. 17A to 17C show an operation waveform example of a capacitor voltage V_(1i) and a gate voltage V_(2i), an operation waveform example of a drain voltage V_(3i), and an operation waveform example of a current I_(1i) supplied to a load, respectively, in transition from an off state to an on state in an energy harvesting apparatus 1 _(i) which can be applied to the energy harvesting system 10 c according to the third embodiment. FIGS. 17A to 17C are views used to explain an operation in a specific energy harvesting apparatus 1 _(i) of the plurality of energy harvesting apparatuses 1 ₁₁, . . . , 1 _(1i), . . . , 1 _(1n). These figures have substantially the same operation as FIGS. 7A to 7C and therefore, explanation thereof will not be repeated.

FIGS. 18A and 18B show an operation waveform example of a drain voltage V_(3i) and an operation waveform example of a current I_(1i) supplied to the loads, respectively, in transition from an on state to an off state in an energy harvesting apparatus 1 _(i) which can be applied to the energy harvesting system 10 c according to the third embodiment. FIGS. 18A and 18B are views used to explain an operation in a specific energy harvesting apparatus 1 _(i) of the plurality of energy harvesting apparatuses 1 ₁₁, . . . , 1 _(1i), . . . , 1 _(1n).

As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the capacitor voltage V_(1i) charged in the capacitor 3 decreases over time t. When the voltage V₂ becomes lower than the voltage V_(th2) of the second MOSFET Q₂, the second MOSFET Q₂ is turned off, the drain voltage V_(3i) becomes a potential V_(3ip) of a high level higher than the voltage V_(th2), and the first MOSFET Q₁ is turned off. As a result, as shown in FIG. 18B, the supply current I₁ to the load, which flows through the first MOSFET Q₁, is cut off to stop the supply of current to the loads.

If the energy harvesting elements 4 ₁, 4 _(i), . . . , 4 _(n) are arranged in parallel and one of them generates electricity, it is necessary to identify which of the energy harvesting elements 4 ₁, . . . , 4 _(i), . . . , 4 _(n) supplies energy to the system load 6.

Therefore, in the third embodiment, it is possible to acquire identification data ID₁, . . . , ID_(i), . . . , ID_(n) for identifying which of the energy harvesting elements 4 ₁, . . . , 4 _(i), . . . , 4 _(n) supplies energy to the system load 6, based on the drain voltages V₃₁, . . . , V_(3i), . . . , V_(3n) detected by the detector 41.

For example, if the drain voltage V_(3i) reaches the threshold voltage V_(th2) of the second MOSFET Q₂, as shown in FIG. 17B, it may be determined that ID, is 1. If the specific drain voltage V_(3i) does not reach the threshold voltage V_(th2), it may be determined that ID_(i) is 0.

FIGS. 19A to 19D show a continuous operation waveform example of the capacitor voltage V_(1i), a continuous operation waveform example of energy E_(1i) stored in the capacitor C_(i), a continuous operation waveform example of the supply current I_(1i) to the loads, and a continuous operation waveform example of the drain voltage V_(3i), respectively, in the energy harvesting system 10 c according to the third embodiment. Although not shown, a continuous operation waveform example of the supply energy E_(L) to the loads may be shown to correspond to FIG. 19C, like FIG. 10D corresponding to FIG. 10C.

The continuous waveform of the capacitor voltage V_(1i) is varied as shown in FIG. 19A and the continuous operation waveform of the energy E_(1i) stored in the capacitor C_(i) is varied as shown in FIG. 19A. When the gate voltage V₂ becomes higher than the threshold voltage V_(th2) of the second MOSFET Q₂, the second MOSFET Q₂ is turned on, the first MOSFET Q₁ is also turned on, and the supply current I_(1i) to the loads becomes an ON-current I_(ON) or higher. As a result, although not shown, the supply energy E_(L) to the loads may be represented to correspond to FIG. 19C by the same continuous waveform example as that shown in FIG. 10D. In addition, as shown in FIG. 19D, the continuous waveform example of the drain voltage V_(3i) is represented by a transient response waveform with the threshold voltage V_(th2) of the first MOSFET Q₁ as a peak value in the transition from an off state to an on state, and is represented by a transient response waveform with the drain voltage V_(3ip) determined by the circuit system of the switch SWi shown in FIG. 13 as a peak value in the transition from an on state to an off state.

With the energy harvesting system 10 c according to the third embodiment, since energy can be supplied to the loads under a high impedance state after each capacitor 3 of the plurality of energy harvesting apparatuses 1 ₁₁, . . . , 1 _(1i), . . . , 1 _(1n) provided to respectively correspond to the plurality of energy harvesting elements 4 ₁, . . . , 4 _(i), . . . , 4 _(n) is sufficiently charged, the energy generated by the plurality of energy harvesting elements 4 ₁, . . . , 4 _(i), . . . , 4 _(n) can be efficiently supplied to the loads. In addition, it is possible to identify a power generation state of a specific energy harvesting element 4 _(i) of the energy harvesting elements 4 ₁, . . . , 4 _(i), . . . , 4 _(n) based on a result of determination on the identification ID₁, . . . , ID_(i), . . . , ID_(n).

According to the third embodiment, it is possible to provide an energy harvesting apparatus and an energy harvesting system which are capable of supplying the energy generated by the plurality of energy harvesting elements with efficiency.

Other Embodiments

As described above, the present disclosure has been illustrated by way of the first to third embodiments, but the description and drawings which constitute a part of this disclosure are exemplary and should not be construed to limit the present disclosure. Various alternative embodiments, examples and operation techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

Thus, it is to be understood that the present disclosure encompasses various embodiments which are not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present disclosure is intended to be defined by only subject matter set forth in the claims pertinent to the detailed description.

The energy harvesting system of the present disclosure can be applied to systems for supplying energy generated by energy harvesting elements such as vibration power generating elements and so on with efficiency, for example, a wide range of fields including mobile devices, vehicles, industrial instruments, medical instruments, etc.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an energy harvesting apparatus and an energy harvesting system which are capable of supplying energy generated by an energy harvesting element with efficiency.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosures. Indeed, the novel methods and apparatuses described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosures. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosures. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An energy harvesting apparatus comprising: a capacitor configured to store energy generated by an energy harvesting element; and a switch connected to the capacitor and configured to switch energy supply from the capacitor to a load based on a capacitor voltage with which the capacitor is charged.
 2. The energy harvesting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switch includes a resistor connected in parallel to the capacitor.
 3. The energy harvesting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the resistor has a resistance equal to or higher than a predetermined impedance.
 4. The energy harvesting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switch includes: a first MOSFET having a first source connected to the capacitor and a first drain connected to the load; first and second resistors which are connected in parallel to the capacitor and divide the capacitor voltage; a second MOSFET having a second drain connected to a first gate of the first MOSFET, a second gate connected to a voltage produced by the division of the capacitor voltage, and a second source connected to a ground potential; and a third resistor connected between the first gate and the first source of the first MOSFET.
 5. The energy harvesting apparatus of claim 4, wherein the switch further includes a third MOSFET which is interposed between the first source and the capacitor and has a third drain connected to the capacitor, a third source connected to the first source and a third gate connected to the first gate.
 6. An energy harvesting system comprising: an energy harvesting element; the energy harvesting apparatus of claim 1, which is connected to the energy harvesting element; and a load connected to the energy harvesting apparatus as an energy supply destination.
 7. The energy harvesting system of claim 6, wherein the load includes: a power supply; and a system load which is connected to the power supply and consumes power.
 8. The energy harvesting system of claim 7, wherein the power supply stabilizes a voltage supplied to the system load.
 9. An energy harvesting system comprising: a plurality of energy harvesting elements; a plurality of energy harvesting apparatuses of claim 5, which are provided to respectively correspond to the plurality of energy harvesting elements; and a load connected to the energy harvesting apparatuses as an energy supply destination.
 10. The energy harvesting system of claim 9, wherein the load includes: a plurality of power supplies respectively connected to the plurality of energy harvesting apparatuses; and a system load which is connected in common to the plurality of power supplies and consumes power.
 11. The energy harvesting system of claim 9, wherein the load includes: a power supply which is connected in common to the plurality of energy harvesting apparatuses; and a system load which is connected to the power supply and consumes power.
 12. The energy harvesting system of claim 9, further comprising: a detector connected to the second drain of the second MOSFET of each of the plurality of energy harvesting apparatuses and configured to detect a voltage of the second drain; and a determination unit configured to determine whether or not energy is supplied from one of the plurality of energy harvesting elements based on the voltage of the second drain detected by the detector.
 13. The energy harvesting system of claim 7, wherein the system load is one or more selected from a group consisting of a mobile device including a mobile phone, a smart phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), an optical disc device, a digital camera, or a wireless communication device, a vehicle, an industrial instrument, a medical instrument, and parts thereof.
 14. The energy harvesting system of claim 10, wherein the system load is one or more selected from a group consisting of a mobile device including a mobile phone, a smart phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), an optical disc device, a digital camera, or a wireless communication device, a vehicle, an industrial instrument, a medical instrument, and parts thereof. 